Thenextdayaccordingly，attheappointedhour，thebailiffsummonedDanielRoger，VincentdeFaux，GaspardJoubert，andMatthieuFanson，allfourphysicians，tohispresence，andacquaintingthemwithhisreasonsforhavingcalledthem，askedthemtoaccompanyhimtotheconventtoexamine，withthemostscrupulousimpartiality，twonunswhomhewouldpointout，inordertodiscoveriftheirillnesswerefeigned，orarosefromnaturalorsupernaturalcauses。Havingthusinstructedthemastohiswishes，theyallsetoutfortheconvent。
Theywereshownintothechapelandplacedclosetothealtar，beingseparatedbyagratingfromthechoir，inwhichthenunswhosangusuallysat。Inafewmomentsthesuperiorwascarriedinonasmallbed，whichwaslaiddownbeforethegrating。Barrethensaidmass，duringwhichthesuperiorwentintoviolentconvulsions。Shethrewherarmsabout，herfingerswereclenched，hercheeksenormouslyinflated，andhereyesturnedupsothatonlythewhitescouldbeseen。
Themassfinished，Barreapproachedhertoadministertheholycommunionandtocommencetheexorcism。Holdingtheholywaferinhishand，hesaid——
\"AdoraDeumtuum，creatoremtuum\"AdoreGod，thyCreator。
Thesuperiorhesitated，asifshefoundgreatdifficultyinmakingthisactoflove，butatlengthshesaid——
\"Adorote\"IadoreThee。
\"Quemadoras？\"Whomdostthouadore？
\"JesusChristus\"JesusChrist，answeredthenun，quiteunconsciousthattheverbadorngovernsaccusative。
Thismistake，whichnosixth-formboywouldmake，gaverisetoburstsoflaughterinthechurch；andDanielDouin，theprovost\'sassessor，wasconstrainedtosayaloud——
\"There\'sadevilforyou，whodoesnotknowmuchabouttransitiveverbs。\"
Barreperceivingthebadimpressionthatthesuperior\'snominativehadmade，hastenedtoaskher——
\"Quisestistequemadoras？\"Whoisitwhomthoudostadore？
Hishopewasthatshewouldagainreply\"JesusChristus，\"buthewasdisappointed。
\"JesuChriste，\"washeranswer。
Renewedshoutsoflaughtergreetedthisinfractionofoneofthemostelementaryrulesofsyntax，andseveralofthosepresentexclaimed\"Oh，yourreverence，whatverypoorLatin!\"
Barrepretendednottohear，andnextaskedwhatwasthenameofthedemonwhohadtakenpossessionofher。Thepoorsuperior，whowasgreatlyconfusedbytheunexpectedeffectofherlasttwoanswers，couldnotspeakforalongtime；butatlengthwithgreattroubleshebroughtoutthenameAsmodee，withoutdaringtolatiniseit。Theexorcisttheninquiredhowmanydevilsthesuperiorhadinherbody，andtothisquestionsherepliedquitefluently\"Sex\"Six。
ThebailiffuponthisrequestedBarretoaskthechiefdevilhowmanyevilspiritshehadwithhim。Buttheneedforthisanswerhadbeenforeseen，andthenununhesitatinglyreturned\"Quinque\"Five。
ThisanswerraisedAsmodeesomewhatintheopinionofthosepresent；
butwhenthebailiffadjuredthesuperiortorepeatinGreekwhatshehadjustsaidinLatinshemadenoreply，andontheadjurationbeingrenewedsheimmediatelyrecoveredhersenses。
Theexaminationofthesuperiorbeingthuscutshort，alittlenunwhoappearedforthefirsttimeinpublicwasbroughtforward。ShebeganbytwicepronouncingthenameofGrandierwithaloudlaugh；
thenturningtothebystanders，calledout——
\"Forallyournumber，youcandonothingworthwhile。\"
Asitwaseasytoseethatnothingofimportancewastobeexpectedfromthisnewpatient，shewassoonsuppressed，andherplacetakenbythelaysisterClairewhohadalreadymadeherdebutinthemothersuperior\'sroomHardlyhadsheenteredthechoirthansheutteredagroan，butassoonastheyplacedheronthelittlebedonwhichtheothernunshadlain，shegavewaytouncontrollablelaughter，andcriedoutbetweentheparoxysms\"Grandier，Grandier，youmustbuysomeatthemarket。\"
Barreatoncedeclaredthatthesewildandwhirlingwordswereaproofofpossession，andapproachedtoexorcisethedemon；butSisterClaireresisted，andpretendingtospitinthefaceoftheexorcist，putouthertongueathim，makingindecentgestures，usingawordinharmonywithheractions。Thiswordbeinginthevernacularwasunderstoodbyeveryoneandrequirednointerpretation。
Theexorcistthenconjuredhertogivethenameofthedemonwhowasinher，andshereplied\"Grandier。\"
ButBarrebyrepeatinghisquestiongavehertounderstandthatshehadmadeamistake，whereuponshecorrectedherselfandsaid\"Elimi。\"
NothingintheworldcouldinducehertorevealthenumberofevilspiritsbywhomElimiwasaccompanied，sothatBarre，seeingthatitwasuselesstopressheronthispoint，passedontothenextquestion。
\"Quopactoingressusestdaemon\"Bywhatpactdidthedemongetin？。
\"Duplex\"Double，returnedSisterClaire。
Thishorroroftheablative，whentheablativewasabsolutelynecessary，arousedoncemorethehilarityoftheaudience，andprovedthatSisterClaire\'sdevilwasjustaspooraLatinscholarasthesuperior\'s，andBarre，fearingsomenewlinguisticeccentricityonthepartoftheevilspirit，adjournedthemeetingtoanotherday。
Thepaucityoflearningshownintheanswersofthenunsbeingsufficienttoconvinceanyfairmindedpersonthatthewholeaffairwasaridiculouscomedy，thebailifffeltencouragedtopersevereuntilhehadunravelledthewholeplot。Consequently，atthreeo\'clockintheafternoon，hereturnedtotheconvent，accompaniedbyhisclerk，byseveralmagistrates，andbyaconsiderablenumberofthebestknownpeopleofLoudun，andaskedtoseethesuperior。
Beingadmitted，heannouncedtoBarrethathehadcometoinsistonthesuperiorbeingseparatedfromSisterClaire，sothateachcouldbeexorcisedapart。Barredarednotrefusebeforesuchagreatnumberofwitnesses，thereforethesuperiorwasisolatedandtheexorcismsbegunalloveragain。Instantlytheconvulsionsreturned，justasinthemorning，onlythatnowshetwistedherfeetintotheformofhooks，whichwasanewaccomplishment。
Havingadjuredherseveraltimes，theexorcistsucceededinmakingherrepeatsomeprayers，andthensoundedherastothenameandnumberofthedemonsinpossession，whereuponshesaidthreetimesthattherewasonecalledAchaos。ThebailiffthendirectedBarretoaskifshewerepossessed\'expactomagi，autexAuravoluntateDei\'
byapactwithasorcererorbythepurewillofGod，towhichthesuperioranswered\"NonestvoluutasDei\"NotbythewillofGod。
Uponthis，Barredreadingmorequestionsfromthebystanders，hastilyresumedhisowncatechismbyaskingwhowasthesorcerer。
\"Urbanus，\"answeredthesuperior。
\"Est-neUrbanuspapa\"IsitPopeUrban？，askedtheexorcist。
\"Grandier，\"repliedthesuperior。
\"Quareingressusesincorpushujuspuellae\"Whydidyouenterthebodyofthismaiden？，saidBarre。
\"Propterpraesentiamtuum\"Becauseofyourpresence，answeredthesuperior。
Atthispointthebailiff，seeingnoreasonwhythedialoguebetweenBarreandthesuperiorshouldevercometoanend，interposedanddemandedthatquestionssuggestedbyhimandtheotherofficialspresentshouldbeputtothesuperior，promisingthatifsheansweredthreeoffoursuchquestionscorrectly，he，andthosewithhim，wouldbelieveintherealityofthepossession，andwouldcertifytothateffect。Barreacceptedthechallenge，butunluckilyjustatthatmomentthesuperiorregainedconsciousness，andasitwasalreadylate，everyoneretired。
CHAPTERVI
Thenextday，November25th，thebailiffandthemajorityoftheofficersofthetwojurisdictionscametotheconventoncemore，andwereallconductedtothechoir。Inafewmomentsthecurtainsbehindthegratingweredrawnback，andthesuperior，lyingonherbed，cametoview。Barrebegan，asusual，bythecelebrationofmass，duringwhichthesuperiorwasseizedwithconvulsions，andexclaimedtwoorthreetimes，\"Grandier!Grandier!falsepriest!\"
Whenthemasswasover，thecelebrantwentbehindthegrating，carryingthepyx；then，placingitonhisheadandholdingitthere，heprotestedthatinallhewasdoinghewasactuatedbythepurestmotivesandthehighestintegrity；thathehadnodesiretoharmanyoneonearth；andheadjuredGodtostrikehimdeadifhehadbeenguiltyofanybadactionorcollusion，orhadinstigatedthenunstoanydeceitduringtheinvestigation。
TheprioroftheCarmelitesnextadvancedandmadethesamedeclaration，takingtheoathinthesamemanner，holdingthepyxoverhishead；andfurthercallingdownonhimselfandhisbrethrenthecurseofKorah，Dathan，andAbiramiftheyhadsinnedduringthisinquiry。Theseprotestationsdidnot，however，producethesalutaryeffectintended，someofthosepresentsayingaloudthatsuchoathssmackedofsacrilege。
Barrehearingthemurmurs，hastenedtobegintheexorcisms，firstadvancingtothesuperiortoofferhertheholysacrament:butassoonasshecaughtsightofhimshebecameterriblyconvulsed，andattemptedtodragthepyxfromhishands。Barre，however，bypronouncingthesacredwords，overcametherepulsionofthesuperior，andsucceededinplacingthewaferinhermouth；she，however，pusheditoutagainwithhertongue，asifitmadehersick；Bargecaughtitinhisfingersandgaveittoheragain，atthesametimeforbiddingthedemontomakehervomit，andthistimeshesucceededinpartlyswallowingthesacredmorsel，butcomplainedthatitstuckinherthroat。Atlast，inordertogetitdown，Bargethreetimesgaveherwatertodrink；andthen，asalwaysduringhisexorcisms，hebeganbyinterrogatingthedemon。
\"Perquodpactumingressusesincorpushujuspuellae？\"Bywhatpactdidstthouenterthebodyofthismaiden？
\"Aqua\"Bywater，saidthesuperior。
OneofthosewhohadaccompaniedthebailiffwasaScotchmancalledStracan，theheadoftheReformedCollegeofLoudun。Hearingthisanswer，hecalledonthedemontotranslateaquaintoGaelic，sayingifhegavethisproofofhavingthoselinguisticattainmentswhichallbadspiritspossess，heandthosewithhimwouldbeconvincedthatthepossessionwasgenuineandnodeception。Barre，withoutbeingintheleasttakenaback，repliedthathewouldmakethedemonsayitifGodpermitted，andorderedthespirittoanswerinGaelic。
Butthoughherepeatedhiscommandtwice，itwasnotobeyed；onthethirdrepetitionthesuperiorsaid——
\"Nimiacuriositas\"Toomuchcuriosity，andonbeingaskedagain，said——
\"Deusnonvolo。\"
Thistimethepoordevilwentastrayinhisconjugation，andconfusingthefirstwiththethirdperson，said，\"God，Idonotwish，\"whichinthecontexthadnomeaning。\"Goddoesnotwish，\"
beingtheappointedanswer。
TheScotchmanlaughedheartilyatthisnonsense，andproposedtoBarretolethisdevilenterintocompetitionwiththeboysofhisseventhform；butBarre，insteadoffranklyacceptingthechallengeinthedevil\'sname，hemmedandhawed，andopinedthatthedevilwasjustifiedinnotsatisfyingidlecuriosity。
\"But，sir，youmustbeaware，\"saidthecivillieutenant，\"andifyouarenot，themanualyouholdinyourhandwillteachyou，thatthegiftoftonguesisoneoftheunfailingsymptomsoftruepossession，andthepowertotellwhatishappeningatadistanceanother。\"
\"Sir，\"returnedBarre，\"thedevilknowsthelanguageverywell，but，doesnotwishtospeakit；healsoknowsallyoursins，inproofofwhich，ifyousodesire，Ishallorderhimtogivethelist。\"
\"Ishallbedelightedtohearit，\"saidthecivillieutenant；\"besogoodastotrytheexperiment。\"
Barrewasabouttoapproachthesuperior，whenhewasheldbackbythebailiff，whoremonstratedwithhimontheimproprietyofhisconduct，whereuponBarreassuredthemagistratethathehadneverreallyintendedtodoashethreatened。
However，inspiteofallBarre\'sattemptstodistracttheattentionofthebystandersfromthesubject，theystillpersistedindesiringtodiscovertheextentofthedevil\'sknowledgeofforeignlanguages，andattheirsuggestionthebailiffproposedtoBarretotryhiminHebrewinsteadofGaelic。Hebrewbeing，accordingtoScripture，themostancientlanguageofall，oughttobefamiliartothedemon，unlessindeedhehadforgottenit。ThisideametwithsuchgeneralapplausethatBarrewasforcedtocommandthepossessednuntosayaquainHebrew。Thepoorwoman，whofounditdifficultenoughtorepeatcorrectlythefewLatinwordsshehadlearnedbyrote，madeanimpatientmovement，andsaid——
\"Ican\'thelpit；Iretract\"Jerenie。
ThesewordsbeingheardandrepeatedbythosenearherproducedsuchanunfavourableimpressionthatoneoftheCarmelitemonkstriedtoexplainthemawaybydeclaringthatthesuperiorhadnotsaid\"Jerenie，\"but\"Zaquay，\"aHebrewwordcorrespondingtothetwoLatinwords，\"Effudiaquam\"Ithrewwaterabout。Butthewords\"Jerenie\"hadbeenheardsodistinctlythatthemonk\'sassertionwasgreetedwithjeers，andthesub-priorreprimandedhimpubliclyasaliar。Uponthis，thesuperiorhadafreshattackofconvulsions，andasallpresentknewthattheseattacksusuallyindicatedthattheperformancewasabouttoend，theywithdrew，makingverymerryoveradevilwhoknewneitherHebrewnorGaelic，andwhosesmatteringofLatinwassoincorrect。
However，asthebailiffandcivillieutenantweredeterminedtoclearupeverydoubtsofarastheystillfeltany，theywentonceagaintotheconventatthreeo\'clockthesameafternoon。Barrecameouttomeetthem，andtookthemforastrollintheconventgrounds。Duringtheirwalkhesaidtothecivillieutenantthathefeltverymuchsurprisedthathe，whohadonaformeroccasion，byorderoftheBishopofPoitiers，laidinformationagainstGrandiershouldbenowonhisside。Thecivillieutenantrepliedthathewouldbereadytoinformagainsthimagainiftherewereanyjustification，butatpresenthisobjectwastoarriveatthetruth，andinthishefeltsureheshouldbesuccessful。SuchananswerwasveryunsatisfactorytoBarre；so，drawingthebailiffaside，heremarkedtohimthatamanamongwhoseancestorsweremanypersonsofcondition，severalofwhomhadheldpositionsofmuchdignityintheChurch，andwhohimselfheldsuchanimportantjudicialposition，oughttoshowlessincredulityinregardtothepossibilityofadevilenteringintoahumanbody，sinceifitwereproveditwouldredoundtothegloryofGodandthegoodoftheChurchandofreligion。Thebailiffreceivedthisremonstrancewithmarkedcoldness，andrepliedthathehopedalwaystotakejusticeforhisguide，ashisdutycommanded。Uponthis，Barrepursuedthesubjectnofarther，butledthewaytothesuperior\'sapartment。
Justastheyenteredtheroom，wherealargenumberofpeoplewerealreadygathered，thesuperior，catchingsightofthepyxwhichBarrehadbroughtwithhim，felloncemoreintoconvulsions。Barrewenttowardsher，andhavingaskedthedemonasusualbywhatpacthehadenteredthemaiden\'sbody，andreceivedtheinformationthatitwasbywater，continuedhisexaminationasfollows:
\"Quisfinispacti\"Whatistheobjectofthispact？
\"Impuritas\"Unchastity。
AtthesewordsthebailiffinterruptedtheexorcistandorderedhimtomakethedemonsayinGreekthethreewords，\'finis，pacti，impuritas\'。Butthesuperior，whohadoncealreadygotoutofherdifficultiesbyanevasiveanswer，hadagainrecoursetothesameconvenientphrase，\"Nimiacuriositas，\"withwhichBarreagreed，sayingthattheywereindeedtoomuchgiventocuriosity。SothebailiffhadtodesistfromhisattempttomakethedemonspeakGreek，ashehadbeforebeenobligedtogiveuptryingtomakehimspeakHebrewandGaelic。Barrethencontinuedhisexamination。
\"Quisattulitpactum？\"Whobroughtthepact？
\"Magus\"Thesorcerer。
\"Qualenomenmagi？\"Whatisthesorcerer\'sname？
\"Urbanus\"Urban。
\"QuisUrbanus？Est-neUrbanuspapa？\"
WhatUrban？PopeUrban？
\"Grandier。\"
\"Cujusqualitatis？\"Whatishisprofession？
\"Curcatus。\"
TheenrichingoftheLatinlanguagebythisnewandunknownwordproducedagreateffectontheaudience；however，Barredidnotpauselongenoughtoallowittobereceivedwithalltheconsiderationitdeserved，butwentonatonce。
\"Quisattulitaquampacti？\"Whobroughtthewaterofthepact？
\"Magus\"Themagician。
\"Quahora？\"Atwhato\'clock？
\"Septima\"Atseveno\'clock。
\"Anmatutina？\"Inthemorning？
\"Sego\"Intheevening。
\"Quomodointravit？\"Howdidheenter？
\"Janua\"Bythedoor。
\"Quisvidit？\"Whosawhim？
\"Tres\"Threepersons。
HereBarrestopped，inordertoconfirmthetestimonyofthedevil，assuringhishearersthattheSundayafterthesuperior\'sdeliverancefromthesecondpossessionhealongwithMignonandoneofthesisterswassittingwithheratsupper，itbeingaboutseveno\'clockintheevening，whensheshowedthemdropsofwateronherarm，andnoonecouldtellwheretheycamefrom。Hehadinstantlywashedherarminholywaterandrepeatedsomeprayers，andwhilehewassayingthemthebreviaryofthesuperiorwastwicedraggedfromherhandsandthrownathisfeet，andwhenhestoopedtopickitupforthesecondtimehegotaboxontheearwithoutbeingabletoseethehandthatadministeredit。ThenMignoncameupandconfirmedwhatBarrehadsaidinalongdiscourse，whichhewoundupbycallingdownuponhisheadthemostterriblepenaltiesifeverywordhesaidwerenottheexacttruth。Hethendismissedtheassembly，promisingtodriveouttheevilspiritthenextday，andexhortingthosepresenttopreparethemselves，bypenitenceandreceivingtheholycommunion，forthecontemplationofthewonderswhichawaitedthem。
CHAPTERVII
Thelasttwoexorcismshadbeensomuchtalkedaboutinthetown，thatGrandier，althoughhehadnotbeenpresent，kneweverythingthathadhappened，downtothesmallestdetail，soheoncemorelaidacomplaintbeforethebailiff，inwhichherepresentedthatthenunsmaliciouslycontinuedtonamehimduringtheexorcismsastheauthoroftheirpretendedpossession，beingevidentlyinfluencedtheretobyhisenemies，whereasinfactnotonlyhadhehadnocommunicationwiththem，buthadneverseteyesonthem；thatinordertoprovethattheyactedunderinfluenceitwasabsolutelynecessarythattheyshouldbesequestered，itbeingmostunjustthatMignonandBarre，hismortalenemies，shouldhaveconstantaccesstothemandbeabletostaywiththemnightandday，theirdoingsomakingthecollusionevidentandundeniable；thatthehonourofGodwasinvolved，andalsothatofthepetitioner，whohadsomerighttoberespected，seeingthathewasfirstinrankamongtheecclesiasticsofthetown。
Takingallthisintoconsideration，heconsequentlyprayedthebailifftobepleasedtoorderthatthenunsbufferingfromtheso-
calledpossessionshouldatoncebeseparatedfromeachotherandfromtheirpresentassociates，andplacedunderthecontrolofclericsassistedbyphysiciansinwhoseimpartialitythepetitionercouldhaveconfidence；andhefurtherprayedthatallthisshouldbeperformedinspiteofanyoppositionorappealwhatsoeverbutwithoutprejudicetotherightofappeal，becauseoftheimportanceofthematter。Andincasethebailiffwerenotpleasedtoorderthesequestration，thepetitionerwouldenteraprotestandcomplaintagainsthisrefusalasawithholdingofjustice。
Thebailiffwroteatthebottomofthepetitionthatitwouldbeatoncecompliedwith。
AfterUrbainGrandierhaddeparted，thephysicianswhohadbeenpresentattheexorcismspresentedthemselvesbeforethebailiff，bringingtheirreportwiththem。Inthisreporttheysaidthattheyhadrecognisedconvulsivemovementsofthemothersuperior\'sbody，butthatonevisitwasnotsufficienttoenablethemtomakeathoroughdiagnosis，asthemovementsabovementionedmightariseaswellfromanaturalasfromsupernaturalcauses；theythereforedesiredtobeaffordedopportunityforathoroughexaminationbeforebeingcalledontopronounceanopinion。Tothisendtheyrequiredpermissiontospendseveraldaysandnightsuninterruptedlyinthesameroomwiththepatients，andtotreattheminthepresenceofothernunsandsomeofthemagistrates。Further，theyrequiredthatallthefoodandmedicineshouldpassthroughthedoctors\'hands，andthatnoone，shouldtouchthepatientsexceptquiteopenly，orspeaktothemexceptinanaudiblevoice。Undertheseconditionstheywouldundertaketofindoutthetruecauseoftheconvulsionsandtomakeareportofthesame。
Itbeingnownineo\'clockinthemorning，thehourwhentheexorcismsbegan，thebailiffwentoveratoncetotheconvent，andfoundBarrehalfwaythroughthemass，andthesuperiorinconvulsions。ThemagistrateenteredthechurchatthemomentoftheelevationoftheHost，andnoticedamongthekneelingCatholicsayoungmancalledDessentierstandingupwithhishaton。Heorderedhimeithertouncoverortogoaway。Atthistheconvulsivemovementsofthesuperiorbecamemoreviolent，andshecriedoutthattherewereHuguenotsinthechurch，whichgavethedemongreatpoweroverher。
Barreaskedherhowmanytherewerepresent，andshereplied，\"Two，\"
thusprovingthatthedevilwasnostrongerinarithmeticthaninLatin；forbesidesDessentier，CouncillorAbrahamGauthier，oneofhisbrothers，fourofhissisters，ReneFourneau，adeputy，andanattorneycalledAngevin，alloftheReformedfaith，werepresent。
AsBarresawthatthosepresentweregreatlystruck，bythisnumericalinaccuracy，hetriedtoturntheirthoughtsinanotherdirectionbyaskingthesuperiorifitweretruethatsheknewnoLatin。Onherreplyingthatshedidnotknowasingleword，heheldthepyxbeforeherandorderedhertoswearbytheholysacrament。
Sheresistedatfirst，sayingloudenoughforthosearoundhertohear——
\"Myfather，youmakemetakesuchsolemnoathsthatIfearGodwillpunishme。\"
TothisBarrereplied——
\"Mydaughter，youmustswearforthegloryofGod。\"
Andshetooktheoath。
JustthenoneofthebystandersremarkedthatthemothersuperiorwasinthehabitofinterpretingtheCatechismtoherscholars。Thisshedenied，butacknowledgedthatsheusedtotranslatethePaternosterandtheCreedforthem。Asthesuperiorfeltherselfbecomingsomewhatconfusedatthislongseriesofembarrassingquestions，shedecidedongoingintoconvulsionsagain，butwithonlymoderatesuccess，forthebailiffinsistedthattheexorcistsshouldaskherwhereGrandierwasatthatverymoment。Now，astheritualteachesthatoneoftheproofsofpossessionisthefacultyoftelling，whenasked，wherepeopleare，withoutseeingthem，andasthequestionwaspropoundedintheprescribedterms，shewasboundtoanswer，soshesaidthatGrandierwasinthegreathallofthecastle。
\"Thatisnotcorrect，\"saidthebailiff，\"forbeforecominghereI
pointedoutahousetoGrandierandaskedhimtostayinittillI
cameback。Ifanybodywillgothere，theywillbesuretofindhim，forhewishedtohelpmetodiscoverthetruthwithoutmybeingobligedtoresorttosequestration，whichisadifficultmeasuretotakewithregardtonuns。\"
Barrewasnoworderedtosendsomeofthemonkspresenttothecastle，accompaniedbyamagistrateandaclerk。BarrechosetheCarmeliteprior，andthebailiffCharlesChauvet，assessorofthebailiwick，IsmaelBoulieauapriest，andPierreThibaut，anarticledclerk，whoallsetoutatoncetoexecutetheircommission，whiletherestofthosepresentweretoawaittheirreturn。
Meanwhilethesuperior，whohadnotspokenawordsincethebailiff\'sdeclaration，remained，inspiteofrepeatedexorcisms，dumb，soBarresentforSisterClaire，sayingthatonedevilwouldencouragetheother。Thebailiffenteredaformalprotestagainstthisstep，insistingthattheonlyresultofadoubleexorcismwouldbetocauseconfusion，duringwhichsuggestionsmightbeconveyedtothesuperior，andthattheproperthingtodowas，beforebeginningnewconjurations，toawaitthereturnofthemessengers。Althoughthebailiff\'ssuggestionwasmostreasonable，Barreknewbetterthantoadoptit，forhefeltthatnomatterwhatitcosthemusteithergetridofthebailiffandalltheotherofficialswhosharedhisdoubts，orfindmeanswiththehelpofSisterClairetodeludethemintobelief。Thelaysisterwasthereforebroughtin，inspiteoftheoppositionofthebailiffandtheothermagistrates，andastheydidnotwishtoseemtocountenanceafraud，theyallwithdrew，declaringthattheycouldnolongerlookonatsuchadisgustingcomedy。Inthecourtyardtheymettheirmessengersreturning，whotoldthemtheyhadgonefirsttothecastleandhadsearchedthegreathallandalltheotherroomswithoutseeinganythingofGrandier；theyhadthengonetothehousementionedbythebailiff，wheretheyfoundhimforwhomtheywerelooking，inthecompanyofPereVeret，theconfessorofthenuns，MathurinRousseau，andNicolasBenoit，canons，andConte，adoctor，fromwhomtheylearnedthatGrandierhadnotbeenaninstantoutoftheirsightforthelasttwohours。Thisbeingallthemagistrateswantedtoknow，theywenthome，whiletheirenvoyswentupstairsandtoldtheirstory，whichproducedtheeffectwhichmightbeexpected。ThereuponaCarmelitebrotherwishingtoweakentheimpression，andthinkingthatthedevilmightbemoreluckyinhis，secondguessthanthefirst，askedthesuperiorwhereGrandierwasjustthen。SheansweredwithouttheslightesthesitationthathewaswalkingwiththebailiffinthechurchofSainte-Croix。Anewdeputationwasatoncesentoff，whichfindingthechurchempty，wentontothepalace，andsawthebailiffpresidingatacourt。Hehadgonedirectfromtheconventtothepalace，andhadnotyetseenGrandier。Thesamedaythenunssentwordthattheywouldnotconsenttoanymoreexorcismsbeingperformedinthepresenceofthebailiffandtheofficialswhousuallyaccompaniedhim，andthatforthefuturetheyweredeterminedtoanswernoquestionsbeforesuchwitnesses。
Grandierlearningofthispieceofinsolence，whichpreventedtheonlymanonwhoseimpartialityhecouldreckonfrombeinghenceforwardpresentattheexorcisms，oncemorehandedinapetitiontothebailiff，beggingforthesequestrationofthetwonuns，nomatteratwhatrisk。Thebailiff，however，intheinterestsofthepetitionerhimself，didnotdaretograntthisrequest，forhewasafraidthattheecclesiasticalauthoritieswouldnullifyhisprocedure，onthegroundthattheconventwasnotunderhisjurisdiction。
He，however，summonedameetingoftheprincipalinhabitantsofthetown，inordertoconsultwiththemastothebestcoursetotakeforthepublicgood。Theconclusiontheyarrivedatwastowritetotheattorney-generalandtotheBishopofPoitiers，enclosingcopiesofthereportswhichhadbeendrawnup，andimploringthemtousetheirauthoritytoputanendtotheseperniciousintrigues。Thiswasdone，buttheattorney-generalrepliedthatthematterbeingentirelyecclesiasticaltheParliamentwasnotcompetenttotakecognisanceofit。Asforthebishop，hesentnoansweratall。
Hewasnot，however，sosilenttowardsGrandier\'senemies；fortheill-successoftheexorcismsofNovember26thhavingmadeincreasedprecautionsnecessary，theyconsidereditwouldbewelltoapplytothebishopforanewcommission，whereinheshouldappointcertainecclesiasticstorepresenthimduringtheexorcismstocome。BarrehimselfwenttoPoitierstomakethisrequest。Itwasimmediatelygranted，andthebishopappointedBazile，senior-canonofChampigny，andDemorans，seniorcanonofThouars，bothofwhomwererelatedtosomeofGrandier\'sadversaries。Thefollowingisacopyofthenewcommission:
\"Henri-LouisleChataignierdelaRochepezai，bythedivinewillBishopofPoitiers，totheseniorcanonsoftheChateletdeSaint-PierredeThouarsetdeChampigny-sur-Vese，greeting:
\"WebythesepresentscommandyoutorepairtothetownofLoudun，totheconventofthenunsofSainte-Ursule，tobepresentattheexorcismswhichwillbeundertakenbySieurBarreuponsomenunsofthesaidconventwhoaretormentedbyevilspirits，wehavingtheretoauthorisedthesaidBarre。Youarealsotodrawupareportofallthattakesplace，andforthispurposearetotakeanyclerkyoumaychoosewithyou。
\"GivenanddoneatPoitiers，November28th，1632。
\"SignedHENRILOUIS，BishopofPoitiers。
\"CountersignedByorderofthesaidLordBishop，\"MICHELET\"
Thesetwocommissionershavingbeennotifiedbeforehand，wenttoLoudun，whereMarescot，oneofthequeen\'schaplains，arrivedatthesametime；forthepiousqueen，AnneofAustria，hadheardsomanyconflictingaccountsofthepossessionoftheUrsulinenuns，thatshedesired，forherownedification，togettothebottomoftheaffair。
Wecanjudgewhatimportancethecasewasbeginningtoassumebyitsbeingalreadydiscussedatcourt。
Inspiteofthenoticewhichhadbeensentthemthatthenunswouldnotreceivethem，thebailiffandthecivillieutenantfearingthattheroyalenvoywouldallowhimselftobeimposedon，andwoulddrawupanaccountwhichwouldcastdoubtonthefactscontainedintheirreports，betookthemselvestotheconventonDecember1st，thedayonwhichtheexorcismsweretorecommence，inthepresenceofthenewcommissioners。Theywereaccompaniedbytheirassessor，bytheprovost\'slieutenant，andaclerk。Theyhadtoknockrepeatedlybeforeanyoneseemedtohearthem，butatlengthanunopenedthedoorandtoldthemtheycouldnotenter，beingsuspectedofbadfaith，astheyhadpubliclydeclaredthatthepossessionwasafraudandanimposture。Thebailiff，withoutwastinghistimearguingwiththesister，askedtoseeBarre，whosoonappearedarrayedinhispriestlyvestments，andsurroundedbyseveralpersons，amongwhomwasthequeen\'schaplain。Thebailiffcomplainedthatadmittancehadbeenrefusedtohimandthosewithhim，althoughhehadbeenauthorisedtovisittheconventbytheBishopofPoitiers。Barre\'
repliedthathewouldnothindertheircomingin，asfarasitconcernedhim。
\"Weareherewiththeintentionofentering，\"saidthebailiff，\"andalsoforthepurposeofrequestingyoutoputoneortwoquestionstothedemonwhichwehavedrawnupintermswhichareinaccordancewithwhatisprescribedintheritual。Iamsureyouwillnotrefuse，\"headded，turningwithabowtoMarescot，\"tomakethisexperimentinthepresenceofthequeen\'schaplain，sincebythatmeansallthosesuspicionsofimposturecanberemovedwhichareunfortunatelysorifeconcerningthisbusiness。\"
\"InthatrespectIshalldoasIplease，andnotasyouorderme，\"
wastheinsolentreplyoftheexorcist。
\"Itis，however，yourdutytofollowlegalmethodsinyourprocedure，\"returnedthebailiff，\"ifyousincerelydesirethetruth；
foritwouldbeanaffronttoGodtoperformaspuriousmiracleinHishonour，andawrongtotheCatholicfaith，whosepowerisinitstruth，toattempttogiveadventitiouslustretoitsdoctrinesbytheaidoffraudanddeception。\"
\"Sir，\"saidBarre，\"Iamamanofhonour，IknowmydutyandIshalldischargeit；butastoyourself，Imustrecalltoyourrecollectionthatthelasttimeyouwerehereyouleftthechapelinangerandexcitement，whichisanattitudeofmindmostunbecominginonewhosedutyitistoadministerjustice。\"
Seeingthattheserecriminationswouldhavenopracticalresult，themagistratescutthemshortbyreiteratingtheirdemandforadmittance；andonthisbeingrefused，theyremindedtheexorciststhattheywereexpresslyprohibitedfromaskinganyquestionstendingtocastasluronthecharacterofanypersonorpersonswhatever，underpainofbeingtreatedasdisturbersofthepublicpeace。AtthiswarningBarre，sayingthathedidnotacknowledgethebailiff\'sjurisdiction，shutthedoorinthefacesofthetwomagistrates。
Astherewasnotimetoloseifthemachinationsofhisenemiesweretobebroughttonought，thebailiffandthecivillieutenantadvisedGrandiertowritetotheArchbishopofBordeaux，whohadoncealreadyextricatedhimfromimminentdanger，settingforthatlengthhispresentpredicament；thisletter；accompaniedbythereportsdrawnupbythebailiffandthecivillieutenant，weresentoffatoncebyatrustymessengertoHisGraceofEscoubleaudeSourdis。Assoonashereceivedthedespatches，theworthyprelateseeinghowgravewasthecrisis，andthattheslightestdelaymightbefataltoGrandier，setoutatonceforhisabbeyofSaint-Jouinles-Marmes，theplaceinwhichhehadalreadyvindicatedinsostrikingamannertheuprightcharacterofthepoorpersecutedpriestbyafearlessactofjustice。
Itisnotdifficulttorealisewhatablowhisarrivalwastothosewhoheldabrieffortheevilspiritsinpossession；hardlyhadhereachedSaint-Jouinthanhesenthisownphysiciantotheconventwithorderstoseetheafflictednunsandtotesttheircondition，inordertojudgeiftheconvulsionswererealorsimulated。Thephysicianarrived，armedwithaletterfromthearchbishop，orderingMignontopermitthebearertomakeathoroughexaminationintothepositionofaffairs。Mignonreceivedthephysicianwithalltherespectduetohimwhosenthim，butexpressedgreatregretthathehadnotcomealittlesooner，as，thankstohisMignon\'sexertionsandthoseofBarre，thedevilshadbeenexorcisedtheprecedingday。
Heneverthelessintroducedthearchbishop\'senvoytothepresenceofthesuperiorandSisterClaire，whosedemeanourwasascalmasiftheyhadneverbeendisturbedbyanyagitating\'experiences。
Mignon\'sstatementbeingthusconfirmed，thedoctorreturnedtoSaint-Jouin，theonlythingtowhichhecouldbeartestimonybeingthetranquillitywhichreignedatthemomentintheconvent。
Theimposturebeingnowlaidsocompletelybare，thearchbishopwasconvincedthattheinfamouspersecutionstowhichithadledwouldceaseatonceandforever；butGrandier，betteracquaintedwiththecharacterofhisadversaries，arrivedonthe27thofDecemberattheabbeyandlaidapetitionatthearchbishop\'sfeet。Inthisdocumenthesetforththathisenemieshavingformerlybroughtfalseandslanderousaccusations，againsthimofwhich，throughthejusticeofthearchbishop，hehadbeenabletoclearhimself，hademployedthemselvesduringthelastthreemonthsininventingandpublishingasafactthatthepetitionerhadsentevilspiritsintothebodiesofnunsintheUrsulineconventofLoudun，althoughhehadneverspokentoanyofthesisterhoodthere；thattheguardianshipofthesisterswho，itwasalleged，werepossessed，andthetaskofexorcism，hadbeenentrustedtoJeanMignonandPierreBarre，whohadinthemostunmistakablemannershownthemselvestobethemortalenemiesofthepetitioner；thatinthereportsdrawnupbythesaid
JeanMignonandPierreBarre，whichdifferedsowidelyfromthosemadebythebailiffandthecivillieutenant，itwasboastfullyallegedthatthreeorfourtimesdevilshadbeendrivenout，butthattheyhadsucceededinreturningandtakingpossessionoftheirvictimsagainandagain，invirtueofsuccessivepactsenteredintobetweentheprinceofdarknessandthepetitioner；thattheaimofthesereportsandallegationswastodestroythereputationofthepetitionerandexcitepublicopinionagainsthim；thatalthoughthedemonshadbeenputtoflightbythearrivalofHisGrace，yetitwastooprobablethatassoonashewasgonetheywouldreturntothecharge；thatif，suchbeingthecase，thepowerfulsupportofthearchbishopwerenotavailable，theinnocenceofthepetitioner，nomatterhowstronglyestablished，wouldbythecunningtacticsofhisinveteratefoesbeobscuredanddenied:he，thepetitioner，thereforeprayedthat，shouldtheforegoingreasonsproveonexaminationtobecogent，thearchbishopwouldbepleasedtoprohibitBarre，Mignon，andtheirpartisans，whetheramongthesecularortheregularclergy，fromtakingpartinanyfutureexorcisms，shouldsuchbenecessary，orinthecontrolofanypersonsallegedtobepossessed；
furthermore，petitionerprayedthatHisGracewouldbepleasedtoappointasaprecautionarymeasuresuchotherclericsandlaypersonsasseemedtohimsuitable，tosuperintendtheadministrationoffoodandmedicineandtheriteofexorcismtothoseallegedtobepossessed，andthatallthetreatmentshouldbecarriedoutinthepresenceofmagistrates。
Thearchbishopacceptedthepetition，andwrotebelowit:
\"Thepresentpetitionhavingbeenseenbyusandtheopinionofourattorneyhavingbeentakeninthematter，wehavesentthepetitionerinadvanceofoursaidattorneybacktoPoitiers，thatjusticemaybedonehim，andinthemeantimewehaveappointedSieurBarre，Perel\'Escaye，aJesuitresidinginPoitiers，PereGautoftheOratory，residingatTours，toconducttheexorcisms，shouldsuchbenecessary，andhavegiventhemanordertothiseffect。
\"Itisforbiddentoallotherstomeddlewiththesaidexorcisms，onpainofbeingpunishedaccordingtolaw。\"
ItwillbeseenfromtheabovethatHisGracetheArchbishopofBordeaux，inhisenlightenedandgenerousexerciseofjustice，hadforeseenandprovidedforeverypossiblecontingency；sothatassoonashisordersweremadeknowntotheexorciststhepossessionceasedatonceandcompletely，andwasnolongereventalkedof。BarrewithdrewtoChinon，theseniorcanonsrejoinedtheirchapters，andthenuns，happilyrescuedforthetime，resumedtheirlifeofretirementandtranquillity。ThearchbishopneverthelessurgedonGrandiertheprudenceofeffectinganexchangeofbenefices，butherepliedthathewouldnotatthatmomentchangehissimplelivingofLoudunforabishopric。
CHAPTERVIII
TheexposureoftheplotwasmostprejudicialtotheprosperityoftheUrsulinecommunity:spuriouspossession，farfrombringingtotheirconventanincreaseofsubscriptionsandenhancingtheirreputation，asMignonhadpromised，hadendedfortheminopenshame，whileinprivatetheysufferedfromstraitenedcircumstances，fortheparentsoftheirboardershastenedtowithdrawtheirdaughtersfromtheconvent，andthenunsinlosingtheirpupilslosttheirsolesourceofincome。Their，fallintheestimationofthepublicfilledthemwithdespair，anditleakedoutthattheyhadhadseveralaltercationswiththeirdirector，duringwhichtheyreproachedhimforhaving，bymakingthemcommitsuchagreatsin，overwhelmedthemwithinfamyandreducedthemtomisery，insteadofsecuringforthemthegreatspiritualandtemporaladvantageshehadpromisedthem。
Mignon，althoughdevouredbyhate，wasobligedtoremainquiet，buthewasnonethelessasdeterminedasevertohaverevenge，andashewasoneofthosemenwhonevergiveupwhileagleamofhoperemains，andwhomnowaitingcantire，hebidedhistime，avoidingnotice，apparentlyresignedtocircumstances，butkeepinghiseyesfixedonGrandier，readytoseizeonthefirstchanceofrecoveringpossessionofthepreythathadescapedhishands。Andunluckilythechancesoonpresenteditself。
Itwasnow1633:Richelieuwasattheheightofhispower，carryingouthisworkofdestruction，makingcastlesfallbeforehimwherehecouldnotmakeheadsfall，inthespiritofJohnKnox\'swords，\"Destroythenestsandthecrowswilldisappear。\"NowoneofthesenestswasthecrenellatedcastleofLoudun，andRichelieuhadthereforeordereditsdemolition。
ThepersonappointedtocarryoutthisorderwasamansuchasthosewhomLouisXI。hademployedfiftyyearsearliertodestroythefeudalsystem，andRobespierreonehundredandfiftyyearslatertodestroythearistocracy。Everywoodmanneedsanaxe，everyreaperasickle，andRichelieufoundtheinstrumentherequiredindeLaubardemont，CouncillorofState。
Buthewasaninstrumentfullofintelligence，detectingbythemannerinwhichhewaswieldedthemovingpassionofthewielder，andadaptinghiswholenaturewithmarvellousdexteritytogratifythatpassionaccordingtothecharacterofhimwhomitpossessed；nowbyaroughandreadyimpetuosity，nowbyadeliberateandhiddenadvance；
equallywillingtostrikewiththeswordortopoisonbycalumny，asthemanwhomovedhimlustedforthebloodorsoughttoaccomplishthedishonourofhisvictim。
M。deLaubardemontarrivedatLoudunduringthemonthofAugust1633，andinordertocarryouthismissionaddressedhimselftoSieurMemindeSilly，prefectofthetown，thatoldfriendofthecardinal\'swhomMignonandBarre，aswehavesaid，hadimpressedsofavourably。MeminsawinthearrivalofLaubardemontaspecialintimationthatitwasthewillofHeaventhattheseeminglylostcauseofthoseinwhomhetooksuchawarminterestshouldultimatelytriumph。HepresentedMignonandallhisfriendstoM。Laubardemont，whoreceivedthemwithmuchcordiality。Theytalkedofthemothersuperior，whowasarelation，aswehaveseen，ofM。deLaubardemont，andexaggeratedtheinsultofferedherbythedecreeofthearchbishop，sayingitwasanaffronttothewholefamily；andbeforelongtheonethingalonewhichoccupiedthethoughtsoftheconspiratorsandthecouncillorwashowbesttodrawdownuponGrandiertheangerofthecardinal-duke。Awaysoonopened。
TheQueenmother，MariedeMedici，hadamongherattendantsawomancalledHammon，towhom，havingoncehadoccasiontospeak，shehadtakenafancy，andgivenapostnearherperson。Inconsequenceofthiswhim，Hammoncametoberegardedasapersonofsomeimportanceinthequeen\'shousehold。HammonwasanativeofLoudun，andhadpassedthegreaterpartofheryouththerewithherownpeople，whobelongedtothelowerclasses。Grandierhadbeenherconfessor，andsheattendedhischurch，andasshewaslivelyandcleverheenjoyedtalkingtoher，sothatatlengthanintimacysprangupbetweenthem。